After the bustle of the holidays, and as we settle in to a fresh new year, there’s a town in Wisconsin that beckons with the promise of a simple yet delightful getaway.
Wausau, a north-central city of roughly 40,000 residents, is nestled alongside Rib Mountain, with the Wisconsin River slicing through its center. While there’s lots of wintertime action to be enjoyed here — from skiing and tubing to watching the Badger State Winter Games — a chiller kind of fun is appealing too.
An easy weekend getaway starts by checking in to the Jefferson Street Inn, a luxe hundred-room hotel set in the heart of the downtown Wausau River District. Park your car and forget about it for most of your trip; nearly everything you’ll need and want is within walking distance of the pet- and kid-friendly boutique hotel.
Or perhaps you’ll want to hunker down and never leave the hotel. Rooms are cozy and families can spend hours down at the indoor pool and hot tub. The Benvenuto’s City Grill offers a buffet breakfast for guests, and opens for dinner in the evenings. And the hotel is connected to the historic Washington Square building, meaning you don’t even need to venture outside to grab coffee at the Ugly Mug or tacos and margaritas at Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant, or to do some shopping.
But it would be a shame not to explore the nearby blocks packed with locally owned shops. The Local, a two-year-old boutique specializing in Wisconsin and Midwest makers, is a standout — and a great place to nab a high-quality souvenir. And Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods is a friendly and charming outdoors outfitter, providing gear and advice since 1949.
If you marvel at how charming downtown Wausau is, you’re not alone in the observation. The River District was one of three winners last year of the Great American Main Street award, which celebrates communities for their revitalization efforts.
A highlight of downtown is a park known as the 400 Block. Bounded by Scott, 4th, Jefferson and 3rd streets, the greenspace hosts concerts and events throughout the year. But come winter, it’s home to an outdoor skating rink. Lace up your skates (bring your own for convenience) in the small warming house, and then take to the ice, gliding around the oval while surrounded by stately buildings such as the nearly-century-old Grand Theater. (If you visit the weekend of January 25, you’ll find the 400 Block enhanced with ice carvings, horse-drawn wagon rides, curling and more thanks to the annual Winter Fest.)
After you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the Mint Café (open until 3 p.m. on Saturdays but closed on Sundays), a retro eatery complete with green barstools and booths and a bevy of burgers, hot chocolate and ice cream shakes on the menu. Or grab a slice at Polito’s Pizza or dig into comfort food at Malarkey’s Pub. All three restaurants are steps away from the rink.
If you don’t mind a short drive — one that takes you up a hill and past stunning historical homes — head over to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. The free-admission museum boasts an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures and works on paper largely inspired by the natural world, as well as changing exhibitions. The museum is famous for its Birds in Art exhibition that’s opened each fall since 1976, but there are plenty of avian artworks on display in the museum now.
Open through March 1, Above the Fold: New Expressions in Origami shows the endless forms the traditional paper-folding technique can take. Kids will love seeing a wall of origami fish, a giant swirling form and an abstracted squirrel. If you visit on January 18 or 19, you can watch snow sculptors recreate the squirrel! And don’t leave without exploring the sculpture garden filled with more than thirty works.
You can also leave the River District to check out Sylvan Hill Park, the longest tubing hill in the state, with six runs offered along its 1,200 feet. Or travel farther to hike at Rib Mountain State Park or ski or snowboard at Granite Peak, with nearly seventy runs on the seven-hundred-foot mountain.
But on a cold winter’s day, you can’t beat keeping things simple with a downtown stroll and some al fresco ice skating followed by a warm drink, and maybe another soak in that hot tub.
Katie Vaughn is the editor and co-founder of Northerly. She is a University of Wisconsin-Madison and Stanford University-trained journalist with experience as a writer, reporter, editor, blogger and author. She lives in Madison with her husband, daughter and son, and her family is always up for an adventure.